THE famous Grove Herd of pedigree South Devon cattle of Douglas Scott at Wells Folly, Moreton, came under international spotlight when members attended the sixth world congress of the South Devon Herd Book Society made a farm visit.

Founded in Hertfordshire in 1987, Mr Scott moved the herd to Moreton in 1987 where he now farms 357 acres, about two-thirds of which is grass.

"While we are not an organic farm," he said, "our system is not intensive, mainly a grass/suckler production supported by straw and home-mix rations from the cereal production."

Visitors were able to see about 115 cows suckling their calves which are weaned at about nine months. "We produce 10-15 breeding bulls each year, sold at 15 months to two years of age, either at the official breed sales or privately off the farm. Remaining males are finished for slaughter as bull beef at 11-14 months or as steers at 18-22 months," Mr Scott said.

"We sell females, about 20-30 a year, for breeding, mainly as maiden heifers as 15-20 months through the spring and autumn breed sales or privately off the farm."

Cattle from the Grove Herd have won many major awards in the show rings over the years as well as herd competitions and bull of the year, female of the year and junior bull of the year titles.